Peking ducks are the most popular variety of this type of poultry. The main goal of breeding such birds is to obtain high-quality and tasty meat, which is appreciated even by the most sophisticated gourmets and professional chefs.
Breed description
It should be noted that the Peking duck is a breed that has a long and ancient history of its appearance and development. The country that is considered the birthplace of such animals is China. And the history of the breed has about 300 years.
After Pekin ducks were recognized by farmers and poultry farmers of the country from which they come from, the animals began to spread around the world. The United States of America became the first state to accept Beijing ducks. After that, animals began to appear everywhere, around the globe. Today, the Beijing breed of birds can be found in Russia and other CIS countries.
It is important to clarify that they are kept not only in large and large-scale farms, but also on private farms. This fact once again proves that Peking ducks have received wide recognition among professionals and amateur poultry farmers.
As for the main positive characteristics that are especially appreciated by breeders, among them, first of all, they note such features of animals as intensive and rapid growth, as well as pickyness in care and maintenance. In addition, it is important to say that the Peking duck is a breed of bird that can be distinguished from any other species not only by internal and physiological features, but also by appearance.
So, if we consider the anatomical structure of the bird, we can see that it has a fairly strong and powerful physique. Zoologists, as well as veterinarians, note such important characteristics of birds as a wide sternum, a large back and a large head. Moreover, on the head, which is quite powerful in its dimensions, a convex forehead is distinguished separately. On the other hand, the neck of the animal is not large. On the contrary, it is not too long and small in itself. Thus, the Peking duck looks quite characteristic, and it cannot be confused with any other.
If we talk about the color of the plumage, as well as the colors of other elements of the body of the animal, it should be noted that the duck’s beak has a pronounced orange color of an orange hue. The plumage itself is usually snow-white (most often) or cream in color. And it is impossible not to take into account one more fact – the feathers are quite thick.
Productivity characteristics
Breeding Peking ducks is an activity that can bring more than just personal gain. It can become a real profitable business in the future. All this is possible due to the high performance characteristics of the animal. So, adults of the Beijing breed are quite large in size.
Poultry farmers note that males in their weight reach at least 4 kilograms (however, sometimes even higher rates can be achieved), females, in turn, weigh a little less – their average weight is about 3 kilograms.
Particularly interesting characteristics are noted in young animals. It has been noticed in practice, and also confirmed by scientists, that the maturity of animals comes quite quickly, because at the age of 2 months drakes can reach almost 3 kilograms in weight. Thanks to such indicators, Beijing birds are considered precocious. However, it is immediately worth noting that such indicators are a direct consequence of proper and high-quality care, first of all, feeding with high-quality feed.
The live population of Peking ducks is an opportunity to obtain a large amount of tasty meat. However, this is not the only difference between the animals and their relatives, because their egg production rates are also quite high – during the season one duck can produce about 100 eggs, and the average weight of one egg is about 90 grams.
Thus, we were able to make sure that the productivity of Peking ducks is at a very high level. So, due to the large mass and tasty meat, as well as due to the high egg production rates, this breed of poultry is preferred by a large number of breeders and farmers. In addition, breeding Peking ducks, you can make a big profit.
Advantages and disadvantages
Peking ducks have the characteristic features of the breed. Traditionally, the characteristics of animals are divided into advantages and disadvantages. Let’s take a closer look at these features.
So, the pluses include the following qualities of the breed:
- resistance and endurance in relation to adverse environmental conditions;
- undemanding to food;
- early maturity.
On the other hand, there are also negative aspects:
- lack of motherhood instinct;
- sensitivity to indicators of humidity of atmospheric air.
Conditions of detention and care
At home, growing and breeding Peking ducks is quite easy. They do not require any specific and complex procedures related to their content. But at the same time, there are a few simple rules that must be followed correctly so that the animals are healthy and active.
First of all, it is necessary to note a characteristic feature that should be taken into account in the process of growing animals, namely: a high rate of weight gain. In this regard, and in order for breeding to be beneficial, and in itself profitable, it is considered that the best option is to keep the birds until the period until they change their feather for the first time. Therefore, young individuals are usually prepared for slaughter from 2 months.
This rule is explained by the fact that after the molting period has begun, the productivity indicators of ducks are significantly reduced, and their maintenance becomes unprofitable. In addition, it is the meat of young individuals that has a delicate and pleasant taste; in more mature ducks, the taste of meat noticeably worsens.
As for the cage for keeping animals, an ordinary outbuilding can become an ideal room for Peking ducks to live. However, remember that whatever room you choose as a home for birds, you need to make sure that it does not have a variety of holes and openings.
The ideal material for flooring in a room where ducks are kept is concrete. It is more durable, strong and reliable than ordinary wood. However, birds should not be allowed on “bare” concrete; it must be covered with bedding. The role of such flooring can be performed by straw and sawdust.
Particular attention should be paid to the environmental conditions in which ducks are kept.
Your attention deserves temperature indicators and lighting. It is believed that the most favorable indicator is the range from 10 to 25 degrees Celsius. If the thermometer exceeds or falls short of these figures, then you may notice a significant decrease in the characteristics of the productivity of birds.
If we talk about lighting, it should be noted that the duration of daylight hours should be at least 13 hours a day. If such an indicator cannot be achieved naturally (sunlight), then it is necessary to turn on lamps and some other sources of lighting. Especially artificial lighting is relevant in the cold season, when natural daylight hours are short.
In the warm summer-spring season, Peking ducks are somewhat easier to care for. So, during this period for ducks you need to create a special area for walking. However, remember that it must be under a canopy. It is also necessary to connect it with a passage to the main dwelling of animals, so that they can hide in it at night.
Feeding
In the process of care, it is necessary to remember such a physiological feature of the body of Peking ducks as intensive assimilation of feed (the approximate duration of assimilation of food is 4 hours). In this regard, it is especially important to ensure that the duck feeders are constantly filled with food, and the animals do not starve. There are two options for feeding Peking ducks: wet and dry. At your discretion, you can choose any of the options.
As for the wet version, this type of feeding is steaming and diluting dry grain food with hot water. As a result, you should get a porridge-like consistency. In this mixture, you can add green fresh grass, duckweed and vegetables. If you prefer dry feeding, then you should pay attention to compound feed. You can purchase ready-made formulations or mix feed yourself. The compound feed contains components such as oats, corn, millet and wheat.
Breeding
Breeding Peking ducks is quite difficult, because animals do not have a maternal instinct. If you want to hatch ducklings, then you will have to do your own incubation of eggs. The optimum temperature in the incubator should be 30 degrees Celsius.
If you have such an opportunity, then after receiving ducklings by artificial method, you can put a hen on them. On the other hand, if this is not possible, then it is necessary to provide a warm place for keeping newborn birds. If you ignore this rule, then the young may die.
Daily ducklings need special food – they are given a grated boiled egg, and from the third day they can be fed with boiled wheat porridge.
How to determine gender?
There are several ways to distinguish a duck from a drake:
- in appearance: the drake is larger, has a feather crest on the neck and a large beak;
- by behavior: drakes stay behind and aside, always let ducks go ahead;
- by sexual characteristics – by probing the cloaca and stomach;
- by voice – females are more noisy.
Disease and Prevention
Peking ducks, despite the large number of their advantages, also have negative characteristics. For example, they are susceptible to certain diseases. The most common ailments include:
- beriberi – it can be caused by an incorrectly composed diet;
- goiter diseases – associated with poor-quality feed;
- coccidiosis is an infectious disease;
- aspergillosis – most often occurs in young animals;
- cholera is quite rare.
In order to avoid infection, as well as the negative consequences of the disease, it is imperative to comply with all conditions for keeping the animal. Pay attention to hygiene – clean the area where the animals are kept, as well as wash and clean the feeders. In addition, do not forget about regular preventive veterinary examinations.
At the first manifestations of ailments, contact your veterinarian, and in no case self-medicate.
Reviews
In general, the reviews of poultry farmers and farmers about the Beijing breed are positive. Breeders note that animals grow quite quickly, and their maintenance does not cause any difficulties. In addition, meat is distinguished by excellent taste characteristics.
The only drawback is the need for an incubator during the breeding process. However, the positive features of the breed outweigh this negative feature.
For more on the Peking duck, see the video below.
